Page 1 of 1

Yamaha springs in Besson 983?

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 1:51 am
by bort2.0
Will Yamaha springs fit/work well in a Besson 983? I don't have a set to try ... but typically like my valves to have pretty light springs and be a little mors bouncy than stiff.

Would this work? Thanks! :tuba:

Re: Yamaha springs in Besson 983?

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2021 7:43 am
by Doc
I'm sure @bloke can hook you up. Springs are not that expensive anyway.

Re: Yamaha springs in Besson 983?

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2021 12:49 pm
by cjk
@bort2.0
I use the Yamaha euph springs in my smaller RM (18mm bore). They are fantastic on that tuba.

I think I formerly used the Yamaha tuba springs in a big valve MW (19mm bore).

I expect the Besson valves to be smaller in diameter than the MW big vales, but taller than either my RM valves or the MW ones. I don't have a good idea of where they are weight wise. They have two sets of ports in them and the bigger set of ports is about 18.5 mm. I have played a couple Bessons and never thought "this valve is heavy" when oiling them.

I don't know what springs are in my Yamaha 631 compensating E flat. I'd guess Yamaha tuba.

I would buy both a set of Yamaha euphonium springs and a set of Yamaha tuba springs. If the valves are too heavy for the euph springs, use the tuba springs. They're not too expensive. You might like to have both to compare side by side, then sell off the set you don't want.

If you really want to err on only getting a set that you know will work, I'd get the tuba springs. Or ask @bloke what springs he uses on his Besson and buy those. :)

Re: Yamaha springs in Besson 983?

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2021 1:04 pm
by bort2.0
Thanks!

I have a set of Yamaha springs in my mailbox waiting for me at home... Will try those today and see what I think. That or the Yamaha tuba springs should work well.

Also considering Mead springs, but those are a little more expensive.

The Besson valves are quite tall, but are also not as wide as the B&S valves... So who knows how the mass compares.

Worth a try!

And best to sort this out before tuba #2 is ready!

Re: Yamaha springs in Besson 983?

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2021 7:18 pm
by York-aholic
bort2.0 wrote: Wed Oct 20, 2021 1:04 pm Worth a try!

And best to sort this out before tuba #2 is ready!
Fess up!

The suspense is killing me. :gaah:

Re: Yamaha springs in Besson 983?

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2021 8:57 pm
by bort2.0
York-aholic wrote: Wed Oct 20, 2021 7:18 pm
bort2.0 wrote: Wed Oct 20, 2021 1:04 pm Worth a try!

And best to sort this out before tuba #2 is ready!
Fess up!

The suspense is killing me. :gaah:
Not Pistons.
Not anything I've owned before.

That's all until November!

PS, check your PM

Re: Yamaha springs in Besson 983?

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2021 9:53 pm
by bort2.0
Yamaha springs are in -- NICE! Just a little bouncy, very quick, and very quiet.

Valves already have synthetic felts and plastic valve guides... And have a set of Sellmansberger buttons incoming. Valves will be fully tricked out very soon.

Question -- can compensating valves be vented?

Re: Yamaha springs in Besson 983?

Posted: Wed Oct 20, 2021 10:09 pm
by matt g
Yes, those pistons can be vented. They usually aren’t because most are upright action and the players aren’t pulling slides. On euphonium, they’ll just have a main slide trigger.

Re: Yamaha springs in Besson 983?

Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 12:04 am
by GC
bort2.0 wrote: Wed Oct 20, 2021 1:04 pm
Also considering Mead springs, but those are a little more expensive.
The springs in my JP377 were quite stiff, so I bought some Meadsprings. They're great quality, but almost exactly as stiff as the originals. I need to try a set of Yamahas.

Re: Yamaha springs in Besson 983?

Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 7:17 am
by Doc
GC wrote: Thu Oct 21, 2021 12:04 am
bort2.0 wrote: Wed Oct 20, 2021 1:04 pm
Also considering Mead springs, but those are a little more expensive.
The springs in my JP377 were quite stiff, so I bought some Meadsprings. They're great quality, but almost exactly as stiff as the originals. I need to try a set of Yamahas.
How are you liking the JP377?

Re: Yamaha springs in Besson 983?

Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 12:15 pm
by GC
I really like it. It's the best horn I've ever owned. Great tone, ridiculously easy low range, sizeable sound. Valves very tight, just now completely broken in, and I've had it 2-1/2 years but only play a couple of days a week (and played very little during height of pandemic). Plays pretty well in tune. Not as heavy as a Willson, but not light either. Solidly built.

Re: Yamaha springs in Besson 983?

Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 1:04 pm
by Doc
GC wrote: Thu Oct 21, 2021 12:15 pm I really like it. It's the best horn I've ever owned. Great tone, ridiculously easy low range, sizeable sound. Valves very tight, just now completely broken in, and I've had it 2-1/2 years but only play a couple of days a week (and played very little during height of pandemic). Plays pretty well in tune. Not as heavy as a Willson, but not light either. Solidly built.
Glad to hear the good report. I'm still strongly considering getting one at some point. Unless Brett sells me the 983 once he gets it fixed up right. :teeth:

Re: Yamaha springs in Besson 983?

Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 5:58 pm
by bort2.0
Doc wrote: Thu Oct 21, 2021 1:04 pm
GC wrote: Thu Oct 21, 2021 12:15 pm I really like it. It's the best horn I've ever owned. Great tone, ridiculously easy low range, sizeable sound. Valves very tight, just now completely broken in, and I've had it 2-1/2 years but only play a couple of days a week (and played very little during height of pandemic). Plays pretty well in tune. Not as heavy as a Willson, but not light either. Solidly built.
Glad to hear the good report. I'm still strongly considering getting one at some point. Unless Brett sells me the 983 once he gets it fixed up right. :teeth:
Anything could happen... It's only a tuba, and they've made more. That said I'm reeeeally enjoying this tuba right now. So easy to play, and I don't have to think about anything when I play, it's just all GO. Ok fine, I do have to think about Eb fingerings right now. But that's no fault of the tuba!

Re: Yamaha springs in Besson 983?

Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2021 6:44 pm
by GC
A good 983 is about as good as it gets. It's one horn I might give up my JP377 for. That said, I've never tried the Eastman comp Eb.